Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

LGBTQ ally Amy Armstrong talks cancer, giving back, 'Amy and Freddy'
by Carrie Maxwell, Windy City Times
2019-09-18

This article shared 4695 times since Wed Sep 18, 2019
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


When LGBTQ ally Amy Armstrong was growing up in Detroit and later Camden, Michigan she dreamed of becoming a performer. Since graduating from Henry Ford Community College and Wayne State University, she has parlayed that into a thriving career as a solo artist and duo with Freddy Allen—aka "Amy and Freddy."

"I was around a lot of gay guys in college due to my major, and I loved them all," said Armstrong. "My best friend, Kevin Walsh, said we should leave Detroit so we can pursue our careers and the closest place we could afford is Chicago so we moved to Boystown."

Armstrong found her first job and shortly after went to her first gay bar, Charlie's, where she met drag queen Fifi Depraved.

"I told Fifi I wanted to perform but I did not have any music," said Armstrong. "Fifi said sing in my ear and if you are good I will let you go up there. I sang a Patsy Cline song and he thought it was good so I got to perform."

The cabaret bar Gentry was another place where Armstrong showed her talents during an open mic night; that led to the owner Dave Edwards giving her a show. Shortly after that, Armstrong met Allen at an open mic night at Gentry.

They have been performing together for 25 years.

"We hit it off right away," said Armstrong. "It was so natural and wonderful to work with him. "Within the first year we were traveling together to perform with the Denmark Symphony and [we've been] on cruise ships since 1998. We traveled to about 35 countries. Any time there was a Pride event or gay bar or LGBT-focused cruise that needed entertainment I am there. I have done thousands of shows over the years."

Armstrong has done benefit performances for many LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS organizations over the years, from Equity Fights AIDS to any HIV prevention group to the marriage equality fight.

"I am very grateful toward the LGBTQ community because it was where I grew up as an adult and found my voice and career," said Armstrong.

Of the many people Armstrong has worked with, she said her favorites have been Leslie Jordan ( who helped her get an agent ), Ty Herndon, Anne Hampton Calloway and Michael Feinstein. Growing up, Armstrong said George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, Liza Minnelli, Moms Mabley, Mae West and other outspoken women inspired her.

For the past 17 years, Armstrong has made Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, her home for half of the year while the rest of the year she travels and stays in Chicago for extended periods. Her goal is to move to Palm Springs, California, so she can audition in Los Angeles.

While in Puerto Vallarta, Armstrong works with the four piece band Piel Canela at the Nacho Daddy live music venue. She also volunteers at a local orphanage and pet sanctuary.

However, her life has taken quite a turn. During gallbladder surgery on June 13 in Puerto Vallarta, doctors found that she had ovarian cancer, of which her mother died from at 50.

"It is kind of wild that we both got the same cancer," said Armstrong. "I have an opportunity to fight this while she did not. Throughout this whole process, people have sent me texts saying they love and support me and are praying for me. These messages have lifted me up."

For Armstrong, it was better for her that she was in Mexico. She said she did not have the insurance to cover the treatments in the United States, adding that unlike in the United States, medical professionals in Mexico seem to have a better bedside manner—which makes a big difference regarding recovery. Armstrong said the process is a lot faster and easier to navigate in Mexico; within a week of being diagnosed, she had her first chemo treatment. Her CA125, which is a person's cancer count, went from 13,100 to 285.

"One Sunday, I was concerned about the pain I was feeling so I called my doctor," said Armstrong. "I thought I would not hear back from her until Monday but she called five minutes later. Tthis would never happen in the United States."

The cancer diagnosis has hastened her performing career with Allen.

"We were booked for shows but I had to back out so he has been performing with other artists," said Armstrong. "He has said it is not the same without me."

"I consider Amy my sister," said Allen. "We have been best friends and musical partners for 25 years. As I watch her fight cancer, I am so inspired by her strength and spirit. She is seriously kicking cancer's ass."

Of all the Amy and Freddy albums that have been released, Armstrong said Naturally Flawless stands out, adding that when she recovers they will be doing a "best of" album.

Recently, Chicago's Hydrate Nightclub held a fundraiser to help pay for Armstrong's treatments. The night featured performances by Allen, Honey West, Denise Tomasello, Russ Goeltenbodt, Daryl Nitz, Feathered Beaus, Russ Rainear, Dixie Lynn Cartwright, Richard Streetman and Alexis Bevels, with Armstrong appearing via video to thank everyone. Armstrong also sang "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" at the event, which raised $5,000.

Armstrong is still in need of funds for treatments that include more surgery and chemo sessions.

"Any money left over will go toward helping women here in Mexico because a lot of them are not getting tested for any diseases," said Armstrong. "Doctors should have to ask if a patient wants a CA125 during regular check-ups to see if there is anything wrong in their bodies."

When asked what message she wanted to send, Armstrong said, "If your body is feeling weird, go to the doctor for a full check-up because it is important to know your health status, especially as you age. Specifically, I want the lesbian and transgender male community to know they still have to get checked by an OB/GYN. It is much better to find out because if you wait too long it will be harder to defeat the disease."

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/amy-armstrong. See AmyFreddy.com/music-and-comedy/ for more information.


This article shared 4695 times since Wed Sep 18, 2019
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

SHOWBIZ Dionne Warwick, OUTshine, Ariana DeBose, 'Showgirls,' 'Harlem'
2024-03-29
Video below - Iconic singer Dionne Warwick was honored for her decades-long advocacy work for people living with HIV/AIDS at a star-studded amfAR fundraising gala in Palm Beach, per the Palm Beach Daily News. Warwick received the "Award of ...


Gay News

WORLD Israel court, conversion therapy, death sentences, Georgia bill, fashion items
2024-03-29
Israel's Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Population Authority must register female couples as mothers on the birth certificates of their children they have together, The Washington Blade reported. The decision was made following a petition ...


Gay News

Brown Elephant Returns To Northalsted
2024-03-26
Brown Elephant's Lake View location is moving to Northalsted and already accepting donations. Howard Brown Health, the largest LGBTQ+ health center in the midwest, operates three Brown Elephant resale shops in the Chicagoland area to help ...


Gay News

An interstate trans healthcare crisis: Illinois prepares for influx of people seeking gender-affirming care
2024-03-26
With hard-won rights, such as access to hormone replacement therapy or permission to use one's chosen pronouns in school, breaking down in states across the country, trans residents of all ages are left with a choice: ...


Gay News

Planned Parenthood of Illinois expands Orland Park health center
2024-03-26
--From a press release - ORLAND PARK, Ill. - Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) announces the expansion of its existing Orland Park Health Center at 14470 S. LaGrange Rd., Suite 106. The 1,800-square-foot expansion is projected to increase sexual and reproductive ...


Gay News

Wyoming is latest state to ban gender-affirming care for minors
2024-03-24
On March 22, Wyoming became the latest state to prohibit gender-affirming care for minors, The Hill noted. In doing so, it joined 23 other states that passed laws restricting or banning the treatment. Legislators in both ...


Gay News

'Rumors' performers create alternative drag playground
2024-03-24
At first glance, Dorian's Through The Record Shop (1939 W. North Ave.) looks like a brightly-lit shop with a handful of records on the wall, but there's a secret world behind those unassuming shelves. Visitors are ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Queer musicians, Marvel situation, Elliot Page, Nicole Kidman
2024-03-21
Queer musician Joy Oladokun released the single "I Wished on the Moon," from Jack Antonoff's official soundtrack for the new Apple TV+ series The New Look, per a press release. The soundtrack, ...


Gay News

THEATER Chicago's City Lit has anxiety on tap with 'Two Hours in a Bar'
2024-03-21
Two Hours in a Bar Waiting for Tina Meyer by Kristine Thatcher with material by Larry Shue Text Me by Kingsley Day (Book, Music and Lyrics). At: City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.. Tickets: ...


Gay News

Lollapalooza announces lineup; SZA, Skrillex among headliners
2024-03-19
Lollapalooza has released its line-up for the event that's taking place Aug. 1-4 at Grant Park. Headliners include SZA, Blink-182, Skrillex, The Killers, Hozier, Melanie Martinez and Stray Kids, among others. Some of the other acts ...


Gay News

Chicago's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council sets a new course
2024-03-18
Chicago's LGBTQ+ Advisory Council held its first meeting of the calendar year on Feb. 28 at City Hall in the Loop under the leadership of the recently appointed chair Jin-Soo Huh. The LGBTQ+ Advisory Council is ...


Gay News

Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance
2024-03-18
Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...


Gay News

WORLD Leaked messages, Panama action, author dies at 32, Japan court, out athletes
2024-03-15
Hundreds of messages from an internal chat board for an international group of transgender health professionals were leaked in a report and framed as revealing serious health risks associated with gender-affirming care, including cancer, according to ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Lady Gaga, 'P-Valley,' Wendy Williams, Luke Evans, 'Queer Eye,' 'Transition'
2024-03-15
Lady Gaga came to the defense of Dylan Mulvaney after a post with the trans influencer/activist for International Women's Day received hateful responses, People Magazine noted. On Instagram, Gaga stated, "It's appalling to me that a ...


Gay News

UK health service to stop routinely prescribing puberty blockers to minors
2024-03-14
NHS (National Health Service) England confirmed that children will no longer routinely be prescribed puberty blockers at gender-identity clinics, the BBC reported. The decision came after a review found there was "not enough evidence" that they ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.